Avengers : Rage Of Ultron by Illustrated by Mark Morales

In a stunning triumph, the Mighty Avengers emerged victorious once again. The forces of good prevailed over evil, and the infamous Ultron was seemingly obliterated in space, never to return. Little did they know, the homicidal artificial intelligence had other plans. Years later, Ultron resurfaces with a sinister objective – to conquer a new world, one already marked by its own gruesome history.

As the birthplace of the notorious Thanos, Titan falls, giving rise to Planet Ultron. Caught in this dire predicament, Starfox, Thanos’ own brother, is compelled to seek assistance from his former allies. However, the Avengers he encounters are nothing like the team he once knew. Amidst them stands Giant-Man, the creator of Ultron, coming face to face with his colossal creation. The weight of fatherhood has never been more heavy on Hank Pym’s shoulders.

Rick Remender, known for his work on Uncanny Avengers, and Jerome Opeña, celebrated artist of Avengers, join forces to unleash the wrath of Ultron upon Earth’s greatest heroes. Brace yourself as Ultron unleashes his full robotic fury upon the indomitable Avengers!

The Missed Potential of Avengers: Rage of Ultron

Ultron is a notorious and formidable villain that the Avengers have faced throughout their history. Created by Roy Thomas and John Bessemer, this evil android is one of the deadliest characters in the entire Marvel Universe. From the beginning, Ultron’s relationship with the original Ant-Man, Hank Pym, has been a significant part of his character. In 2015, Rick Remender and Jerome Opeña released the original graphic novel “Rage of Ultron,” which explored Ultron’s psyche and his relationship with his creator. Although this graphic novel was intended to set up a new era for the Avengers, it ultimately represented a missed opportunity. In this article, we will discuss the history behind “Rage of Ultron,” how it attempted to conclude the saga between Ultron and Hank Pym, and why it could have been a game-changer for The Avengers.

Ultron’s History

Ultron first appeared in Avengers issue 54 in 1968. Created by Hank Pym, the Android was meant to aid the heroes in global peacekeeping efforts. However, Ultron awakens as a monstrous reflection of his creator with the goal of destroying the Avengers and conquering the world. Over the years, Ultron has made regular appearances in various Marvel Comics, participating in crossovers and featuring in different series.

The Significance of “Rage of Ultron”

Rage of Ultron was born out of the events of the 10-issue miniseries “Age of Ultron” released in 2012. It details Ultron’s closest attempt at world domination, set in a dark alternate future where Ultron has annihilated most of humanity. The graphic novel serves as a bridge between different eras of the Avengers, both in terms of publishing and canonical history. It explores the generational trauma shared between Pym and Ultron, as well as the descendants of Vision and Victor Mancha.

The Story of “Rage of Ultron”

Rage of Ultron begins with a flashback to the early days of the Avengers, where they discover Ultron attempting to steal nuclear weapons. Hank Pym, now Yellowjacket, steps up to confront his creation, referring to Ultron as his son and begging him not to destroy the world. Ultron hesitates, allowing the Avengers to trap him in a rocket and shoot him into space. Years later, Ultron’s presence is again felt as he infects an alien world and its inhabitants, seeking vengeance on Earth. The Avengers confront Ultron and his army of robotic soldiers, and Hank Pym, now Giant Man, ventures alone to face his creation. Hank and Ultron confront their complicated relationship, and eventually, Ultron merges with Pym, creating a new, human-like Ultron. Captain America intervenes and traps Ultron in his own subconscious, but Ultron manages to escape into space. The story ends with a funeral for Hank Pym, believed to have perished in the encounter, and discovering that Ultron now contains a human heart, suggesting Hank Pym may still be alive within him.

Missed Opportunities

While “Rage of Ultron” introduced a new Avengers lineup and teased exciting storylines, it didn’t ultimately lead to the planned new era for the team. Rick Remender, who wrote “Rage of Ultron,” had plans to continue the story in his Avengers run, but he left Marvel before his plans came to fruition. Mark Waid took over and launched the “All-New, All-Different Avengers” series. Despite not being followed up as intended, “Rage of Ultron” remains a standout Avengers story, delving into Hank Pym’s character and offering a satisfying conclusion to the Ultron-Pym saga.

“Rage of Ultron” is a forgotten gem within Marvel’s recent history. It provides a compelling exploration of complex relationships, guilt, and generational trauma. It’s not just a great Ultron story; it’s one of the best Avengers books of the last decade. Although it didn’t usher in the planned new era for the team, “Rage of Ultron” deserves recognition and a closer look for its impact and the missed opportunities it presents. It’s a must-read for any Avengers fan.